Relief? Anyone?

[Deacon]

Did you include the amount donated by corporations and individuals through their government?

[tankkisankari]

[quote="Roma";p="539421"]I'm not arguing that the US can't handle this situation or has the resources to handle it but it's simple courtesy. Just because it happens in the US doesn't mean this isn't a tragedy. I mean, the double standard here is ridiculous. The US is *expected* to help everyone and anyone, but the US is also *expected* to help themselves all on their own? Ridiculous.

I know other nations will offer aid, but that expectation is terrible.[/quote]
You're missing the point, countries are prepared to help, just tell us what you want and well send help, or do you want just meaningles money pledges which have clauses that prevent them from ever being used?

On a side note, the richest contry in the world get's into a spot of trouble and some people sulk when i doesn't get handouts two hours later.

[Rileyrat]

Toons, while other countries tend to donate more per capita than the US but it's really a moot point, in this argument anyhow. Charitable actions by a country have more to do with the revenue of the country, not the population. The US government has a set-aside amount that they already account for every year as charity, as do most countries. The problem comes in that nearly every year other countries expect the US to bust this bugeted amount while other countries that don't even hit thier set amount slide under the radar.

Springy, did you really think you could jump on a forum primaraly populated by US inhabitants and get away with a statement like that even if it were true? Making that statement then getting all defensive where people fired back is an old trick, bordering on what most feel to be trolling. Also, bringing up the old White House thing is a pretty common statement from more flame prone Canadians. Kinda like the guy that can't bully his little brother anymore so he just constantly brings up the times he could and did.

I have no doubt that Canada will help by sending people, money, and supplies as they normally do. It's one of the upsides of being next door to a generally willing to help country. Others have, and will continue to chime in, just give it some time. We can't really judge whats going to happen at this point, most countries are fully aware that the US can figure out what it needs on it's own, no need to start throwing crap at us right now before we can examine the problem in whole.

Arminius, also hits on a big point. For the most part, France is to thank for helping to build the fledgling America reguardless what the average French man thinks of us or what we think of them today. New Orleans, was pretty much all that was left of the early French influence here, now it's gone...Luckly most of the people are still alive and hopefully we can rebuild cultural assests like the French Quarter. Lots was lost but anything that can be saved would be awsome. Who knows, maybe they can pull the Galveston trick, That city is now roughly 8 feet higher than it was when the storm surges devistated it back around the turn of the 20th century.

I don't want to leave out Makh. you and your girlfriend are making an awsome choice in donating the the Red Cross. I'm sure many people will be grateful even if they don't know where the money comes from.

[SunTzu]

The US donates a rediciliously low amount for the amount of money and people in the country. Pretty much any western european country pays more.

Still, Sweden has pledged help, and are *still* waiting to hear from the US about what you actually need. The ball is in your court, as you say

[Toons]

Rileyrat, I completly agree with and understand what you are saying.
The thing that has ticked me off is the fact that the flooding of New Orleans was lucky to have peaked, and somebody has already started complaining about the lack of donations and/or help
And also Bigity well chosen comment
It all gives light to the stereotypical world view of americans

[workmad3]

There is one small point here still. As far as I have heard, the American Red Cross still has not asked for any aid. The rest of the world is probably prepared to give charitable donations as soon as we hear when, where and if such donations are needed. If no requests are ever recieved, that means that the Red Cross thinks that its under control, and that outside help is not needed. If theres no need to draw on the charity of other countries, then why should they? After all wouldnt that money that isnt then needed in the US then go to other countries that could suffer a disaster like this and not have the resources to be able to handle it? Charity is one of those 'Ask and ye shall recieve' kind of things, if no one (by which I mean, organisations like the Red Cross and the government) asks, then there is no real way to give. If individuals want to donate, I'm sure they can donate online and such like directly to the American Red Cross

[Roma]

No one has yet touched on my complaint about the expectations of the US. It's not the fact that countries might be or are willing to give aid, it's the fact that *it happened to the US, so they can take care of themselves.* Yet we are expected to give 10 times what everyone else does.

[SunTzu]

No, you're expected to give as much as you can afford, like every other country in the world. Thing is, you pay much, much less overall. You're expected to solve any problem that you CAN solve on your own, the rest you ask for help for. Apprently the US government thinks it can handle this, and so hasnt asked for help.

[tankkisankari]

[quote="Roma";p="539589"]. It's not the fact that countries might be or are willing to give aid, it's the fact that *it happened to the US, so they can take care of themselves.* [/quote]
But you are offered help, so you are not expected to do take care of this yourself.
Maybe you should talk this through with your prez
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01481437.htm

Earlier, President George W. Bush said in a television interview that the United States could take care of itself.

"I'm not expecting much from foreign nations because we hadn't asked for it. I do expect a lot of sympathy and perhaps some will send cash dollars. But this country's going to rise up and take care of it," Bush told ABC's "Good Morning America."

Yet we are expected to give 10 times what everyone else does.

Expected by who? I sure dont.

[Rorschach]

[quote="Roma";p="539589"]Yet we are expected to give 10 times what everyone else does.[/quote]
Doesn't seem so
What do you want Roma? You griped because the U.S. wasn't being offered assistance - it has been
You gripe because you think the expectations on the U.S. are too high - as a resident of restofworld (one of the two countries you seem aware of), I can assure you that this isn't the case

[workmad3]

Roma, so far the biggest source of 'It happened in america, they should handle it themselves' seems to have come from americans. Everyone else is quite willing to offer aid, if it will be accepted, but even your president is promoting the attitude of 'America can handle this themselves'.

America is in no way expected to contribute more than other countries. I agree with SunTzu, America should give as much as it is willing to, and can afford to.

[SunTzu]

My god, ive turned this thread into commie pinko swedes! Now on to the healthcare system!

[workmad3]

Nah, britains healthcare is fine imo. We don't need to apy for it if we don't want to, and despite all these claims that it is failing etc etc etc, it still seems a lot better than any alternatives such as health insurance. Especially seeing as I would have trouble in most countries getting health insurance due to family history of diabetes and cancer.

[Springy]

[quote="Rileyrat";p="539519"]

Springy, did you really think you could jump on a forum primaraly populated by US inhabitants and get away with a statement like that even if it were true? Making that statement then getting all defensive where people fired back is an old trick, bordering on what most feel to be trolling. Also, bringing up the old White House thing is a pretty common statement from more flame prone Canadians. Kinda like the guy that can't bully his little brother anymore so he just constantly brings up the times he could and did.
[/quote]

First of all, just because the majority of people here are from the States doesnt mean that Since I'm from Canada I should never give my opinion. If you think I'm trolling then fine, report me to the mods and let them make the final decision.
The white house thing was a *joke* Hence the smiley and the "kidding " Gods, sorry for trying to lighten things up a bit.

[Silux]

CNN has a link where the Mayor of New Orleans is talking about the completely inadequate response to the disaster. Can't quite figure out how to link it directly, but it's on the main page under "Watch: Mayor: 'Get off your asses'". I'm embarrassed as an American.